Against Me! Singer Tom Gabel Comes Out As Transgender

Tom Gabel of the Florida-based punk band Against Me! has come out as transgender and plans to begin living as a woman with the name Laura Jane Grace, the singer reveals in the new issue of Rolling Stone. Gabel will soon begin the transformation process by taking hormones and undergoing electrolysis treatments, and also reportedly is considering gender reassigment surgery.

Gabel reveals that she has privately been dealing with a condition called gender dysphoria since she was five years old. “Growing up, my experience with transsexualism was nothing but shame,” she says. Gabel will also remain married to her wife, Heather. "For me, the most terrifying thing about this was how she would accept the news. But she's been super-amazing and understanding."

Gabel only told a few friends and family members before coming out publicly, but hopes talking openly about her situation will increase awareness. "I'm going to have embarrassing moments," she says, "and that won't be fun. But that's part of what talking to you is about -- is hoping people will understand, and hoping they'll be fairly kind."

The singer talks at length about her transformation in the issue of Rolling Stone hitting newsstands Friday, including her history with gender dysphoria and the future of Against Me! The band kicks off a month-long U.S. tour on May 25 in San Diego, Calif.